Answers are a perilous grip on the universe. They can appear sensible yetexplain nothing.-The Zensunni Whip

Odrade gets angry then amused that the Honored Matres are making her party wait so long for their escort and spend the time confusing the little robots that are common in these types of places. The autoreceptionist robot comes out and attempts to make small talk with Odrade. She ignores it and asks Tam why they must program mechanicals to imitate humans. Tam says it's obscene. Odrade realizes that she's touched on the mob motivation that powered the Butlerian Jihad, prejudice. More robos enter with their luggage, obvioiusly searched, but they are blocked by the other robos Odrade had dissabled and wait for the situation to be sorted out. Dortjula comments how ugly the place is, it almost seems deliberate. Odrade orders the autoreceptionist to take them to their quarters and they find it's appologetic, syrupy voice repulsive. On the way they notice much of the place is shut off and in a state of disuse. People under Honored Matre control must not want to travel and attract attention. There will be room when the refugees from Gammu begin arriving.

Odrade is summoned to the lobby where she is escorted to see Great Honored Matre. She is taken to a command center, obviously a set piece for her benefit, where she is introduced to Great Honored Matre and her aid. She is suprised by the commander's diminutive appearance, not what she expected at all. She asks Odrade if it's true that she calls her Spider Queen, to which she confesses. She tells Odrade to call her Dama and Logno objects but Dama just waves her off. Logno reminds Odrade of Bell. Dama is bathed in perfume, probably an attempt to cover her pheremones. Dama orders Odrade to walk outside with her. She asks about the perfume and learns that it is an identity marker to make her flamebush accept her. Odrade is pleasantly suprised the Dama is intelligent and well-disciplined.

Odrade tells her that she would not be valuable as a hostage, they have three replacements for her. Dama boasts that they could crush them like and insect but Odrade tells her the hand that did so would fester and eventually the sickness would consume them. Dama thinks it impossible. Odrade decides on her most dangerous gamble and asks if Dama thinks them unaware how they were driven back by their enemies. Dama scowls, Odrade says a fight with the Bene Gesserit would leave them vulnerable to their real enemy. Dama says they are merely gathering their forces before they return, Odrade says they'll be crushed because they won't be able to count on overwhelming numbers. Dama thinks their enemy has been to them and tells her she's foolish to trust. Odrade says she doesn't. Odrade notices some modification to the Guild buildings and the unimaginable wealth they must have, she wonders what could have driven them back and if Dama really believes her exile here might end. Dama says they will continue this in her quarters.

She is taken into what Odrade thinks must be her workroom. Thinking about their earlier conversation she realizes Dama has the Power to say "yes" and wonders if she was right to unleash Teg and what other forces this might attract. Dama appears agitated at her console, Odrade wonders if the Gammu attack was sucessfull and if refugees are arriving. Dama tells her that her pilot destroyed hiself and his ship rather than be inspected. Dama discoveres the signal Odrade is emmiting, she tells her it is only to let her people know she is alive. Odrade realizes this is the real deal, the real Spider Queen, her real quarters. They revel in chaos, they're adrenaline addicts. It's obvious she's never had to bargain before. Dama is interested in Bene Gesserit immunity to disease, maybe that's what drove them back. Odrade realizes that the extent of Honored Matre bargaining is be willing slaves and be forgiven, she was right to unleash Teg. Logno enters with wine, Dama offers it to Odrade and claims it isn't poisoned. Odrade takes one taste and recognizes a substance to nullify shere, which she renders harmless and announces what she's done. Dama rages at Logno and smashes her glass. Dama goes outside to reconsider her position, Logno watches Dama anxiously. Odrade deduces she's poisoned Dama. Logno orders Odrade to call her Great Honored Matre and tells her Dama was going to betray her and exterminate the Bene Gesserit. But she has better plans for a usefull weapon in their greatest moment of need.

Any alternate ideas on why the HM were so interested in the BG being resitent to disease?

Also, Lognos murder attempt seems kind of foolish. We are told that Odrade's glass isn't poisonous (at least not deadly poison). In case there is not any special ritual in who takes which glass from the tablet for the HM, Logno couldn't really be sure that Dama would take the poisoning one.

Captain_Cackwurst wrote:Any alternate ideas on why the HM were so interested in the BG being resitent to disease?

Apparently the HMs enemies in The Scattering were using biological warfare against them. I believe this is assumed by the BG, why do we need an alternative?

Also, Lognos murder attempt seems kind of foolish. We are told that Odrade's glass isn't poisonous (at least not deadly poison). In case there is not any special ritual in who takes which glass from the tablet for the HM, Logno couldn't really be sure that Dama would take the poisoning one.

Odrade's glass had something in it to nullify the shere in her system. GHM took her glass first, forcing Odrade to take that one.

Paul of Dune was so bad it gave me a seizure that dislocated both of my shoulders and prolapsed my anus.~Pink Snowman